This is my very first attempt at writing fanfiction. Recently, I had been toying the idea of writing a story mainly focused on Daine and Numair, but had been too scared to try. (What Tamora Pierce had captured on D/N relationship was perfect, and I felt afraid that I would ruin it)
Anyway, kicking aside that fear, I have written this prologue. Please, please tell me what you think.
Disclaimer: The characters and locations belong to Tamora Pierce.
Vital Obstacle
By ElspethElf
Prologue
Emperor Ozorne sat in a shimmer of sparkling gold. In a room where colours and styles were worn freely, his clothing was by far the most superior.
People looked up in awe at him, memorized by the dazzling bracelets and glowing rubies that hung on his neck. They knew of his power and ambitions, and the Carthaki held his image in the highest of opinions.
Despite all this, the emperor was dissatisfied. His emotion was a jumble of feelings – feelings he could not possibly explain.
Someone – mostly likely a Banjiku slave – offered him a plate of Antelope Steak but he barely noticed for his eyes, which were a sea of deep gold, had not left the face he had been gazing upon since the beginning of the banquet.
That face belonged to a girl – or rather a young woman – of about fifteen years old. She was currently staring solemnly into a plate of roasted deer with the expression of one going to a funeral. Her head was bent slightly and a lock of smoky brown hair fell at her face.
The emperor gave an inward sigh. She had eaten nothing save the glass of fruit juice since the dishes were brought in, and it annoyed him greatly to his guest rejecting his Imperial food, which had been planned to perfection beforehand.
Ozorne could not understand why he was so drawn to the girl from Tortall. Her status after all, was not as high or as important as those who usually caught his fancy. Her appearance too, was not the usual beauties he normally looked for.
No, Ozorne thought, it was the matter of whom she was that really held his attention.
Veralidaine Sarrasri, wildmage of Tortall was a complete mystery to the emperor of Carthak.
At the young age of thirteen, the wildmage had already become the friend of the King's Champion, the Baron of Pirate's Swoop, the King and Queen of Tortall themselves, and – rather fascinatingly, the student of Numair Salmalin.
At that thought, Ozorne's finely painted forehead crinkled into a displeased frown. He turned his gaze to the other side of the great table to focus on Numair, his former friend.
Next to Daine, Numair had the honour of been the second-most-studied-face by the Imperial Majesty. However, his face was most definitely not gazed upon with awe or admiration. Only deep loathing and the thought of revenge formed inside Ozorne's head when he gazed upon that mane of tussled, black hair and that same serious glint locked within those dark eyes.
He was another reason why the emperor felt dissatisfied. Numair and he had not exchanged one word since the arrival, and though this suited both of them perfectly, the emperor still felt as though he was missing on something.
After several moments of deep thinking, Ozorne realised that the feeling was a faint buzz of envy. Not of his former friend – Mithros, no – but of his student.
Of Veralidaine Sarrasri.
Why is it that Numair, the man notoriously known for seeking arcane finds, and then to discard them had unearthed yet another great discovery? Why is it that he, in all of his previous bad luck had again struck upon gold?
It was all very well if the object of the find was another set of ancient scrolls or a new magical use. That he could accept…but not this one. This time, Numair's discovery was Daine, the same girl that now enthralled Ozorne beyond anything he had experienced.
Black rage suddenly filled the emperor's heart. He could not stand the thought of something as fascinating as Daine to befall in the hands of his greatest enemy. Ozorne banged on the table, wrapped in a temporary rage. He felt cheated, denied of a great treat.
Presently Numair darted a quick look in Daine's direction.
Ozorne smirked. By now, he had seen enough of Numair's flitting glances towards Daine to confirm his suspicions. The only thing he needed now was to put this knowledge to his advantage.
Slowly, a solid resolution formed inside Ozorne's mind. He smiled, already scheming the beginning of a plan.
As long as I live, he thought to himself, I pledge to never to allow Arram and the girl to be together.